The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-04-21

"Oh, l guess you al find me some
said he, relieved. I'm not
particular"
sis it for summer?" she asked.
Eyes; such rs they wear at Manhat-
tan Beach. Do. you ever go to Man
haitian Beach in the summer timer
asked Rochester.
II never have been, but I should like
to CO." said Esther. She smiled. Her
teeth were even and white. She was
undeniably pretty. She walked we'll;
Heredity had been kind to her. Twenty.
generations of peddler's packs had
curved her pretty back not in the least,
He watched her, for Rochester is artis-
tic, as she fumbled among some over
coats.
"'Will you try this onp" she asked
gently, holding it out to him.
IT was the critical moment HAM
merschmidt was peeking through a
crack in the door and giving momentary.
bulletins to his wife. Every knothole
in the ceiling had an eye to it, and
there were several knot-holes. Fun
k~enstein, Motzenhauser and Katzen-
yammer were ill at ease, notwithstand-
ing they had not all done badly. The
street was in a painful state of sus-
pense, and the quintet were betting
wine in a trying state of doubt.
If you will put it on for me-" said
Rochester, tenderly.
Hammerschmidt's long breath of re-
lief was audible in the shop, though
foolish Rochester needed it not. The
agony was over. Esther would never
let him get that coat off again. If she
did he would disinherit her.
Dimpled hands raised the overcoat to
his shoulders; warm fingers pressed it
forward about his neck, and IS they
did so touched his cheek. Esther's
purchases in the perfumery line were
not imported, but as she buttoned the
top button it seemed as if it was ''Bri-
sas de las Pampas" in the dark heavy
folds of her hair.
..Wm it dop" she asked, timidly. II
never tried it before"
'eOf COURSE" said Rochester, gall
lantly. He stopped; a look of conster-
nation crept over his face, and he grit
ted his teeth.
''Of course" he repeated, smother
ing the thought and smiling on the
beautiful girl. 'How much is it9"
Esther, with some difficulty, found
the card on the starboard Goa tail, and
said: Fifteen dollars" Esther was
not slow herself. He gave her a ten
and a five, and she thanked him grace
fully.
..You say you'd like to go down to
Manhattan Beach this"
Esther, go ofer to Mott sthreet und
see vat time der teakettle will be done
already, don't be vatin' round here
ven dere's no tea. Esther, be kvick
about itr' yelled Hammerschmidt all
in a breath, as he burst into the front
shop.
She went like the startled fawn.
Hammerschmidt did not look like an
invitation to dinner, but had the inhos-
pitable and biased expression of a
meat axe. He looked as if he might
have a great deal to say; but Rochester
did not care for conversation. He
bowed and went out hurriedly.
As he struck the sunlight with the
overcoat on a yell sounded down the
street. Five men roared and slapped
their thighs and laughed like lunatics.
The street looked at them in amaze.
ment. As Rochester went toward them
they laughed harder and harder.
He had on an old melton overcoat,
pale green under. the collar, faded gray
in various shades in the skirts. 1t was
frayed at the cuffs, worn out and sewed
up at the buttonholes, and had a small
patch on one of the sleeves.
"You needn't laugh" he said with
suppressed anger. '.In fact I won't
have it." he added holly. give lost
the bet and that's enough said"
They stopped laughing, but looked
very queer. Now and then they in
spected him furtively out of the cor
ners of their eyes as he took the lead
scowling. But there was imminent
danger of an explosion all the way up
j. ". D., in N. Y. Times.